Blood cultures before first antibiotic received

A blood culture test indicates what kind of medicine will work best to treat your pneumonia.

Why this is important:

Different types of bacteria can cause pneumonia. A blood culture test indicates to the healthcare provider which bacteria may have caused your pneumonia and which antibiotic should be prescribed. It is best to do the blood culture within 24 hours of arrival at the hospital and before antibiotics are started. It is also important to start antibiotics as soon as possible. A blood culture also indicates the best treatment you should receive and if any precautions are necessary to prevent the spread of your illness.

The chart above indicates the percentage of patients that were administered a blood culture test before the first dose of antibiotics was given.